The boss of a new Highland distillery will start the job homeless.
Had it gone to plan, he or she would have had the luxury of a four-bedroom house on the site of the community-led Glen Wyvis operation.
But councillors yesterday rejected a planning application for a “master distiller’s” home, warning that it would add to traffic in the area and prove a potential road safety hazard.
A retired police chief well versed in such matters who is helping to spearhead the distillery project was stunned by what he heard.
Former Inverness area commander David O’Connor, who witnessed the debate at the north planning committee meeting, confirmed last night that the business would lodge an appeal with the Scottish Government.
Now chairman of the Glen Wyvis Community Benefit Society, he said: “I’m disappointed by this decision. It was described by one local councillor as the ‘final part of the jigsaw’ of the distillery but others made claims that I believe need to be clarified, the main issue being road safety.
“Works are ongoing to improve (access) visibility. And, as a former policeman who served for 31 years, road safety was clearly part of my remit. I’m baffled by the case the council put forward.”
Planning officer Dorothy Stott recommended refusal on the grounds that the house proposal breached the local plan due to “substandard access” to the site that would endanger local road users due to restricted visibility. Officials also warned of a big increase in traffic volume.
Local independent councillor Margaret Paterson argued that the house was “the last piece of the jigsaw of an exciting project” that would create employment and boost the area’s economy.
Her ward colleague, Liberal Democrat Angela MacLean, was puzzled why the house proposal had not featured within the wider planning application and questioned it was “needed.”
Committee chairwoman Isobel McCallum warned that the access was “very bad” and that, “with good faith,” the original plans were approved “under the impression that there would be no significant additional traffic on this access.”
The committee debate ended with an 8-7 vote against the planning application.
The job of master distiller is due to be advertised shortly.
The distillery itself was approved by the council and construction work is well underway having secured more than £2.5million from 2,500 local investors within 77 days of inviting people to take a stake in the venture.
